# NTSB SEA08LA190: Lien Zodiac 601 XL, N9881T, Coeur d'Alene, ID, August 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 2008, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Coeur d'Alene, ID - Coordinates: 47.773612, -116.820556 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7736&lon=-116.8206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08LA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68830/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA190 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after the engine experienced a loss of power. Contributing to the accident was the mixture control arm separating from the fuel metering valve shaft. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Lien Kenneth ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=05622YT), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Lien Kenneth ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05622YT), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Lien Kenneth ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05622YT), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Lien Kenneth ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05622YT), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Lien Kenneth ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05622YT), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Lien Kenneth ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05622YT), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Lien Kenneth ZODIAC 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05622YT), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the airplane departed on its maiden flight, witnesses reported hearing the engine "cut out" then start again before completely losing power. The airplane was subsequently observed in "a tight spiral" with its wings "pointing straight up and down" before impacting terrain and sliding into the side of a school building. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position. Fuel was detected at the accident site and there was no post crash fire. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector reported that the carburetor's mixture control lever had separated from its mixture shaft, and that the carburetor's metering valve shaft appeared to have been slightly bent and grooved for some time. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 29, 2008, about 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Zodiac 601 XL experimental amateur built airplane, N9881T, was substantially damaged following in-flight collision with terrain and a building while maneuvering near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight departed the Coeur d'Alene Air Terminal (COE), Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, about 1225. In statements provided to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) by local law enforcement personnel, several witnesses reported hearing the airplane's engine "cut out," then start up again before it "stopped completely." The witnesses further reported observing the airplane in a turn to the left before "it spiraled down in a tight spiral totally on its side, wings pointing straight up and down." Witnesses stated that one of the airplane's wing tips impacted the ground, flipped over and slid into the side of a school building. Witnesses also reported observing fuel leaking after the airplane had come to rest. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector reported that an onsite examination of the airplane revealed that the carburetor's mixture control lever was observed separated from its mixture shaft. The inspector further reported that all necessary components for flight were accounted for, and that fuel was present at the accident site. There was no postcrash fire. The airplane was subsequently removed from the accident site for further examination. PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot, age 65, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. The pilot's most recent aviation medical examination was completed on June 26, 2003, when he was issued a third-class medical certificate with the limitation, "Must wear corrective lenses for near and distant vision." According to information provided by the pilot on his airman's medical application, the pilot listed a total time of 900 hours, with 20 hours in the past 6 months. The pilot's personal logbook was not recovered during the course of the investigation. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The accident airplane was an amateur built Zodiac 601 XL, serial number 6-5407. This was the maiden flight of the all-metal airplane, which incorporated a low-wing design with a fixed tricycle landing gear. The airplane had a maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds and could accommodate two occupants. The airplane was equipped with a 100 horsepower GM Corvair 6 cylinder engine, which was converted for airplane use. A review of the owner's aircraft maintenance records revealed that the airplane's engine was first run on February 14, 2008, with a note, "First run of engine. Carb problems." A second entry,which was made on June 10, 2008, read "Replaced discharge nozzle. Runs much better. Adjusted mixture and idle." A third entry, dated August 1, 2008, was annotated "Run-up and taxi-tests." Maintenance records further revealed that on August 15, 2008, the pilot entered the following in the aircraft logbook: "I certify this aircraft has been inspected in accordance with the scope and detail of Appendix D to Part 43 and has been found to be in a condition for safe operation." The entry was followed by the pilot's signature. On August 16, 2008, a representative from the FAA issued the pilot/owner a Special Airworthiness Certificate and Operating Limitations for the airplane. The aircraft log indicated a total time of 0 hours, and a tachometer time of 5.2 hours. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1235, the COE Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), located about 1 nautical mile north of the accident site, report wind 150 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 5,000 feet, temperature 24 degrees Celsius, dew point 13 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.93 inches of Mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION FAA inspectors reported to the IIC that the airplane had come to rest in an inverted position resting up against the corner of an elementary school building, which was located about 1 mile south of the departure airport. The inspector confirmed that fuel was present at the accident site. The inspector further stated that an onsite examination of the wreckage indicated impact damage to the engine, and that both composite propellers and the airframe were destroyed. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION On September 1, 2008, an autopsy was performed on the pilot at the Spokane Medical Examiner's Office, Spokane, Washington. The cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma to the head. The FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology tests on the pilot. The results were negative for drugs and alcohol. TESTS AND RESEARCH A FAA airworthiness inspector, who conducted a post-accident examination of the engine, reported that the engine's carburetor had shown signs of age and that the metering valve shaft "appeared to have been slightly bent and grooved for some time." The inspector stated, "The mixture control lever's lean/rich stop had been previously broken off and filed smooth." He further reported "...the mixture control arm appeared to have easily separated from the metering valve shaft during the aircraft's maiden flight. The mixture control cable was secured to the firewall, not to a bracket on the engine." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9881T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9881T-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 6-5407 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lien Zodiac 601 XL - Registry model: [Lien Kenneth ZODIAC 601 XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/lien-kenneth-zodiac-601-xl) (registry code 05622YT) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6-5407 - Airframe hours: 0.1 - Engines: Corvair 164 CID 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kenneth L Lien - Registered owner: Kenneth L Lien - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 16, 2008, 0.1 hours before - Departed: COE, Coeur d'Alene, ID - Destination: COE, Coeur d'Alene, ID - Airport: COE, Coeur d'Alene Air Terminal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 900 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: COE, 1 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080829844729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080829844729A), Aug 29, 2008: ZODIAC601XL, Hayden, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Pilot departed runway 19 from couer d'alene, Idaho airport (coe) in his zodiac 601XL amateur-built aircraft. At approximately one mile from coe, the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.